Left rear caster cracked MidMount Mower GC1725

[CUtiger95]

Well I rounded a wet sloping spot and hung my rear caster wheel on the mid mount. Effectively it bent in toward the tractor/deck. Now it has a crack and is not structurally sound.

Has anyone ever had luck welding these and having it last or am I just hosed? Will definitely need to be bent back to position and ground but wondered if a stick welder would work. The weld broke on the arm that connects the axle housing/shaft height to the two aframe pieces. Not the weld to the deck.

 

[hube2]

I broke cracked the weld on the same in 2022. I don't weld. I brought the deck to my dealer and they welded it. The weld they put on looks better than the original and it is holding fine. I guess it probably depends on your welding skills. I posted before and after images here What have you done with/to your GC Series 2300, 2400, 1700 Tractor TODAY

 

[Tinhack]

Yeah, you better take it to a welder or a dealer. If you had to ask, you may not be equipped to solve the problem. It's just a fact of life. Perhaps you haven't been tractoring long enough to break things.

 

[CUtiger95]

That looks almost identical to mine. Awesome that the weld will hold.

I’ll get it to a friends and let them have at it to make it work. Mowing the the 48” walk behind with the skulky until I get it fixed.

 

[CUtiger95]

Yeah, you better take it to a welder or a dealer. If you had to ask, you may not be equipped to solve the problem. It's just a fact of life. Perhaps you haven't been tractoring long enough to break things.

Oh I am great at breaking things, just not at welding to get them back together. Luckily a friend has the skills, but I didn’t want to use that favor if it wa going to break again quickly.

 

[Dmacleo]

broke and welded mine in 2021. no issues since.
neighbor broke his in 2022 its welded and working fine.
key is heating and bending to straight on cement pad to get wheel set as close as possible to original. then grind and weld like normal. IMO stick works better than mig, this wheel takes more force than right side usually due to left turns when mowing are prevalent.

 

[WranglerX]

THE wheel or the bracket holding wheel..... I have 2 JD riding mowers and have had various problem with wear and vibration and bending things on mow deck....... Never had any negative issue or thought about heating up things with to torch to bend back into proper shape or welding if item is broken.... Lot better on pocket book than $1250 for new deck on my JD E180 riding mower...

Apply proper prep to area needing repair and use either stick or MIG (I only MIG weld) and life is good...

Only thing you can not weld is something plastic....

 

[Dmacleo]

heres mine

What have you done with/to your GC Series 2300, 2400, 1700 Tractor TODAY

First paying job with the Betstco flail. This is the job I smoked the factory belts on, no issues today with good belts.

www.tractorbynet.com

wheel was (due to geometry) just under 2" off decking of trailer. broke and then bent 2 directions.

 

[hube2]

Mine broke because my left rear wheel when into a hole at the edge of my property. I usually go slower there because I know it's rough, that day I was not paying attention. The guide wheel slammed down into the ground breaking the weld and bending it up. I think the left one is also a bit more fragile because it is at more of an angle which puts more stress on the outside weld than the inside weld.

 

[CUtiger95]

Thanks everyone, glad I am not the only one. Have had my little GC for 5 years and it is a beast. Was afraid because of deck material I was about to have continuous issues with this specific caster.

Sounds like all will be good once I get it welded.